General Information

About North Idaho College

Founded in 1933, North Idaho College is a comprehensive community college located on the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. NIC offers degrees and certificates in a wide spectrum of academic transfer, career and technical education, and general education programs. Approximately 5,300 students are enrolled in credit classes and more than 4,300 participate annually in non-credit courses offered by the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls.

The college serves a five-county region through regional centers in Bonners Ferry, Kellogg, and Sandpoint, as well as through an extensive array of Internet and interactive video conferencing courses. NIC also plays a key role in the region’s economic development by preparing competent, trained employees for area businesses, industries, and governmental agencies.

NIC’s campus is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a lakeside city with a growing population of 44,000 residents. Metropolitan amenities are close by with Spokane, Washington, a city of approximately 208,000 just 30 minutes away.

NIC offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees in various college transfer programs, and Associate of Applied Science Degrees and technical certificates in its career and technical education programs.

Students obtaining an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree can transfer with junior standing to all other Idaho public colleges and universities.

As one of three community colleges in the state (the other two being College of Southern Idaho and College of Western Idaho), North Idaho College works closely with its sister colleges and universities. NIC partners with the University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, Boise State University, and Idaho State University to enhance the higher education opportunities available in North Idaho.

Accreditation

North Idaho College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Several of NIC’s programs are also accredited by program accrediting agencies. The Associates Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Radiography Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT). The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP/MAERB). The Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

History

North Idaho College was first known as Coeur d’Alene Junior College, a private school that was started in 1933 and operated for six years. The state legislature passed the Junior College Act in January 1939, which permitted qualified areas to establish junior college districts by a vote of eligible electors. Coeur d’Alene Junior College became North Idaho Junior College in June of 1939. On July 31, 1971, the college changed its name to North Idaho College. NIC’s service area is the Idaho Panhandle, which includes Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Shoshone counties.

Open-Door Policy

NIC subscribes to the philosophy of the comprehensive community college, including an open‑door admissions policy. To truly reflect its role as a community college, NIC accepts the fundamental responsibility to meet the varying needs of individuals with widely divergent interests and abilities. At the same time, NIC seeks to respond to the needs of area businesses, industries, and governmental agencies by preparing competent, trained employees.

The commitment to an open‑door admissions policy is defined as providing all eligible students with access to appropriate educational offerings at the college. NIC enrolls students seeking a post‑secondary education, but reserves the right to guide students into the courses and programs that will enhance their opportunities for success.

Certain designated courses of study have special requirements for admission. The college assesses and evaluates entering students to place them in the appropriate level courses.

Community Services

As a community college, North Idaho College strives to provide a quality educational environment and serve area residents through involvement in the community. Both goals are vitally important to NIC and have resulted in a wide variety of educational offerings, programs, and services designed for the college community at large.

Concerts, theatrical productions, athletic competitions, convocation programs, information sessions, and other events are offered to encourage community participation and involvement. Special courses, programs, and workshops are offered to meet the varied interests of individuals and community groups.

A Senior Citizens Gold Card allows individuals 60 years of age and older to attend NIC-sponsored athletics and arts events free of charge. Gold Cards are available through the NIC Communications and Marketing Office.

Cardinal Card

The Cardinal Card Office is located in the plaza of the Edminster Student Union Building. All students and employees at North Idaho College and NIC-supported outreach centers are issued a Cardinal Card. This card serves as the college’s official student/employee photo ID and should be carried at all times and made available to Campus Security upon request. The Cardinal Card is a multi-functional card used for electronic access to buildings/rooms and access to services in departments across campus. This card is used for identification, residence hall meal programs, financial aid verification, bookstore purchases, library services, printing services, access to student programming and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Outdoor Pursuit rentals, and admission to athletics events and the computer lab. In addition, Cardinal Cash may be added to the Cardinal Card. Cardinal Cash is a prepaid, declining balance account similar to a debit card. This allows flexible spending options for bookstore, printing, and dining services purchases. Lost, stolen, or damaged Cardinal Cards cost $20 to replace.

NIC Foundation

The North Idaho College Foundation was founded in 1977 to encourage private support for the instructional mission of North Idaho College. The NIC Foundation is an independent, nonprofit charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of civic-minded community leaders.

The NIC Foundation works closely with the NIC trustees, the president, and college employees to secure support for various needs of the college. The foundation solicits, accepts, and manages both cash and non-cash gifts on behalf of NIC and invests and administers those funds to provide a source of financial support for the college.

Through contributions from donors of all walks of life, the NIC Foundation is helping to change lives. Student success is central to the foundation’s efforts. Scholarship awards are nearing $1 million annually, and $10.3 million has been distributed to students since 1977. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship opportunities through the Financial Aid Office. In addition, more than $20 million has been invested in NIC facilities and expansion, including the Parker Technical Education Center, and the Meyer Health and Sciences Building, and $1,263,578 has been distributed through the Foundation Grant Program that inspires creative and innovative teaching and support services since 1994.

The foundation raises funds through its annual and planned giving programs, scholarship drive, and community events. The foundation’s Really BIG Raffle offers a grand prize of a $300,000 custom home built by the NIC Carpentry program and more than $35,000 worth of additional prizes each year.

To make a tax-deductible gift, request additional information, or inquire about charitable giving, go to www.nic.edu/foundation or call (208) 769-5978.

NIC Alumni Association

The North Idaho College Alumni Association encourages a lifelong interest in the college by its alumni and friends. The association has found that many individuals cherish their experiences and memories of NIC classmates, instructors, and friends and that these remain with them throughout their lifetimes. The NIC Alumni Association provides opportunities for alumni to serve NIC and its students. Membership in the association unites individuals in an organization of thousands of alumni who have chosen to express their active support for the college.

Membership is free, and requires completion of at least 12 academic credits or completion of the first semester of a certificate course or apprenticeship program. You do not need to be a graduate to become a member. Membership benefits include invitations to special events, Molstead Library privileges, eNewsletter subscription, and discounts at the Cardinal Bookstore and home athletics events.

Alumni Association members who graduated 2016 or later are eligible for a discounted membership at the NIC Student Wellness and Recreation Center.

The Alumni Office is located in the Sherman Building. Please stop by to visit if you come to campus.

NIC Booster Club

The North Idaho College Booster Club is a nonprofit organization, committed to providing financial support to the intercollegiate athletics programs through fundraising and endowment activities for student-athlete grants-in-aid and team programs.

Organized in the 1960s, the NIC Booster Club supports all NIC athletics teams as a lifelong learning experience that enhances the value of sportsmanship and provides a positive experience for student-athletes, students, and fans. The club also recognizes the commitment our athletes make to the young people of our community through our Cardinal Canine Club, WE Care Program, Cardinal Kids outreach program, the Coeur d’Alene Crossing, and the wrestling team’s Shirley Parker Reading Program.

The Booster Club holds fundraising events throughout the year including an annual auction, Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the Idaho State High School All-Star Basketball Game, the Hague Memorial Cardinal Golf Classic, and the Rolly Williams Golf Tournament.

For more information or to become a member, contact the NIC Athletics Office at (208) 769-3348. Booster Club luncheons are held twice monthly throughout the year.

NIC Publications

Official North Idaho College publications, such as catalogs, brochures, course and fee schedules, etc., are not to be considered as binding contracts between NIC and its students. NIC and its divisions reserve the right to:

withdraw or cancel classes, courses, and programs;

change fee schedules;

change the academic calendar;

change admission and registration requirements governing instruction in, and graduation from, the college and its various divisions; and,

change any other regulations affecting students.

Changes shall be enacted for both prospective and presently enrolled students whenever deemed appropriate. Advance notice of changes will be provided when possible.

Equal Opportunity Employment

North Idaho College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, gender, race, color, age, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class.

In accordance with provisions of Idaho Code § 65-503, or its successor, North Idaho College is a veteran preference employer.